Re: [Paddlewise] Paddling Through Surf

This is an interesting but very depressing scenario....

So far it seems that no matter what one does, the ColdOne is not going to have
an easy time and is going to get worse.  None of the ideas seems to have a good
chance of getting the ColdOne on the beach without getting wet and thus
Colder.  To get the victim to shore someone/victim is going to deliberately get
out of a kayak or they stand a good chance of being forced out into an
environment that will worsen their condition.  Yikes.

Someone had better be on the beach ready to warm the ColdOne and rescuer(s)
either with a large fire and/or tent/sleeping bag.

Gulp, I guess another way to look at this, the glass being half full, is that
if nothing is done the ColdOne is almost certainly dead.  So, while we don't
want the rescuer(s) becoming a victim(s), if nothing is done, ColdOne is a
gonner.  They ain't going to get warm sitting in the kayak!  Eventually they
will become unconscious and then what?  Gulp.

Seems to me, while we are trying to figure out the BEST/SAFEST/QUICKEST way to
get ColdOne on shore, are we not in CPR mode?  If someone stops breathing they
are dead.  If one starts CPR you might break ribs, puncture lungs, etc.  But
they are already dead and if you don't do SOMETHING they will remain dead.
There might be a better technique or approach, which we are collectively
pondering, but unless something is done the victim is not going to make it.
While we don't have a perfect or even close to perfect solution but even an
imperfect solution is better than the alternative...  8-(

If ColdOne stays on the water death is not far away not only to the first
victim but will the conditions that got ColdOne get others in the group?  Is
staying on the water an option?  Does not seem so.  To make this worse, what to
do if the conditions in the surf are so bad that landing the party will cause
more casualties?  Would it be better to raft the group up and try to get warm
clothes around the victim?  Could a sleeping bag be removed from a hatch to
stuffed around the victim?  If the surf is being kicked up by a storm front
passing through, maybe it would be best to wait to see if the conditions
improve.  How long to wait?  8-)  I have seen storm fronts move through making
horrible conditions but within an hour everything is perfectly calm.

Seems like I have gone full circle here!  Maybe waiting is the thing to do.
But if conditions are not going to improve or they are going to get worse, then
there is nothing to do but get the victim ashore knowing that things are bad
and are going to get worse for the ColdOne and maybe others......  8-(

Have at it!
Dan McCarty


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